MLB Spring Training represents one of the most anticipated events for fans and those close to baseball during each start of the year.
Such a period means the preseason of the highest baseball circuit in the United States and the planet, in which the 30 organizations, distributed in the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues, prepare physically and strategically for the regular round. Beyond simple practices, spring training offers intensity, exhibition games and the opportunity to evaluate young talents and veterans alike.
The main purpose of Spring Training is for players to resume the rhythm of competition after several months of rest, so it serves to regain shape and readjust to a long schedule of matches. Likewise, for pitchers and catchers, training is especially crucial in fine-tuning mechanics, building “stamina” (stamina) and establishing collective chemistry, while position players use these sessions to evolve with the bat and speed on the bases, as well as to perfect defense and synchronization with teammates.
As if that were not enough, Spring Training plays a social and promotional role for MLB, as fans enjoy the opportunity to closely follow their favorite teams and stars in warm locations in Florida and Arizona, experiencing a closer and more relaxed atmosphere before the rigor of the qualifying exercise.
Consequently, although the commitments that are disputed do not count towards the official record of the season, the emotion and expectations figure high in the Soring Training.
Which teams are in the Grapefruit League and which are in the Cactus League?
Unlike the regular course, MLB Spring Training is not divided into the American and National Leagues, respectively, but rather in the Grapefruit, in the state of Florida, and the Cactus, in Arizona, in a distribution favored by geographical location; So below it will be mentioned which clubs belong to which spring circuit:
- Grapefruit League (Florida): Atlanta Braves (Venice); Baltimore Orioles (Sarasota); Boston Red Sox (Fort Myers); Detroit Tigers (Lakeland); Houston Astros (West Palm Beach); Miami Marlins (Jupiter); Minnesota Twins (Fort Myers); New York Mets (Port St. Lucie); New York Yankees (Tampa); Philadelphia Phillies (Clearwater); Pittsburgh Pirates (Bradenton); St. Louis Cardinals (Jupiter); Tampa Bay Rays (Port Charlotte); Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedine) y Washington Nationals (West Palm Beach).
- Cactus League (Arizona): Arizona Diamondbacks (Scottsdale); Athletics (Mesa); Chicago Cubs (Mesa); Chicago White Sox (Glendale); Cincinnati Reds (Goodyear); Cleveland Guardians (Goodyear); Colorado Rockies (Scottsdale); Kansas City Royals (Surprise); Los Angeles Angels (Tempe); Los Angeles Dodgers (Glendale); Milwaukee Brewers (Phoenix); San Diego Padres (Peoria); San Francisco Giants (Scottsdale); Seattle Mariners (Peoria) y Texas Rangers (Surprise).
When does MLB Spring Training 2026 start?
The official website of the major leagues confirmed that Spring Training 2026 will officially begin during the second week of February and, as usual, the franchises have specific dates for the arrival of different groups of players: first pitchers and catchers, and then the rest of the roster.
Consequently, and despite the fact that each organization has specific days to receive its assets, the spring fields will open globally between February 10 and 17, before the preseason games begin.
In summary, pitchers and catchers have to be present in their barracks from February 10 to 12, while position players from 15 to 17.
When do the Spring Training 2026 exhibition games start?
Meanwhile, MLB’s preseason commitments will begin on February 20, courtesy of seven games on the agenda, highlighting the Yankees against the Orioles in Sarasota, Florida, and the Cubs against their city rivals, the White Sox, in Mesa, Arizona.
From March 22 to 24, exhibition duels will begin to be played but in Major League stadiums, as a preamble to the regular season Opening Night, on the 25th of that month, while the traditional Opening Day will be on March 26.
First day of exhibition games of Sporing Training 2026
|
Game |
Date |
Time (Eastern USA) |
Estadio |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Yankees vs. Orioles |
20/02 |
1:05 p.m. |
Ed Smith Stadium (Sarasota, Florida) |
|
Northeastern University vs. Red Sox |
20/02 |
1:05 p.m. |
JetBlue Park (Fort Myers, Florida) |
|
Royals vs. Rangers |
20/02 |
3:05 p.m. |
Surprise Stadium (Surprise, Arizona) |
|
White Sox vs. Cubs |
20/02 |
3:05 p.m. |
Sloan Park (Mesa, Arizona) |
|
Diamondbacks vs. Rockies |
20/02 |
3:10 p.m. |
Salt River Fields (Scottsdale, Arizona) |
|
Padres vs. Mariners |
20/02 |
3:10p.m. |
Peoria Stadium (Peoria, Arizona) |
|
University of Minnesota vs. Twins |
20/02 |
6:05 p.m. |
Lee Heath Sports Complex (Fort Myers, Florida) |
